Relatives of Chinese MH370 passengers: We are under observation all the time in KL

Chinese relatives of passengers from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 wait for news at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

CYBERJAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The next of kin of the passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 who were flown to Kuala Lumpur from Beijing have likened their stay in Malaysia to being locked up.

They checked into a five-star facility here on March 11 but the families complained that they had little freedom as they were put under close observation by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) officials.

At least 20 Chinese nationals are believed to have taken up the offer by MAS to travel to Kuala Lumpur as they await news on the missing flight which disappeared on March 8 with 239, including 153 Chinese nationals, on board.

"We are under observation round the clock. We feel like we are being locked up. There is no freedom," said a Mr Xu, whose wife was among the passengers, in an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.